Shorted-out line causes power outage in Temperance, part of Erie Township

TEMPERANCE -- A shorted-out high voltage line caused a power outage in Temperance and part of Erie Township affecting more than 6,000 Consumers Energy customers, a utility spokesman said.

The outage occurred at about 2:50 p.m. today when workers on a water tower near a Consumers substation in Temperance accidentally dropped debris on the 46,000-volt line, Roger Morgenstern, a Consumers spokesman, said.

By 4 p.m., crews had reduced the number of customers without power to 4,737, he said.

Jon White, the Bedford Public Schools interim superintendent, said Temperance Road Elementary was the only school in the district to lose power, but it had a normal dismissal.

The Bedford Branch Library lost electrical service and closed early.

Mr. Morgenstern said he expected service to be restored to all customers by later today, and there were no reported injuries.